Coast Security Police aims to implement Vibrant Village Program in coastal Karnataka: SP Abdul Ahad
Udupi, August 22 - The Coast Guard Police in Udupi has outlined plans to adopt the Central Government's Vibrant Village Program, mirroring its success in Arunachal Pradesh, to ensure the development of villages situated along the coastal border of Karnataka. This initiative is designed to curb migration from these border villages while providing essential infrastructure. Superintendent of Police Abdul Ahad of the Karnataka Coastal Security Police shared these insights during an interactive session organized by the Udupi Press Club Committee on Tuesday.
SP Abdul Ahad stated that a comprehensive report on the villages along the coastal border has been submitted to the Central Government for review and potential implementation. Drawing parallels with the Vibrant Village Program successfully employed in Arunachal Pradesh, he expressed optimism about its positive impact on the coastal border villages in Karnataka.
Addressing concerns about narcotics trafficking at sea, SP Abdul Ahad revealed that such incidents are rare within their jurisdiction due to the high costs associated with sea-based transportation of contraband. He added that Coast Security Police remain vigilant nonetheless.
Acknowledging the crucial role of fishermen in maintaining maritime security, SP Abdul Ahad praised the local fishing community for their cooperation and proactive reporting of suspicious activities. He highlighted the strong partnership between the fishermen and the police department, aided by wireless communication and vigilance.
Speaking on the issue of narcotics, SP Abdul Ahad emphasized the collective responsibility to combat its menace. He reported the registration of several cases related to the sale and consumption of narcotics on beaches, asserting that strict actions have been taken against the culprits.
Regarding security measures, SP Abdul Ahad detailed the installation of over 500 CCTV cameras across the coastal region from Karwar to Mangalore, with significant support from public participation. He underlined the significance of coastal security and its link to tourism, illustrating the increased focus on information gathering about foreigners staying at resorts.
SP Abdul Ahad also noted ongoing discussions at the government level regarding the necessity of a Sea Ambulance for the Karnataka coast. Plans for a Coastal Security Training Center, Hospital, Jetty, and Solar Power initiatives at various locations are in progress. The department is gradually strengthening its capacity with additional drones and boats, he added.
The Udupi District Working Journalists Association President Rajesh Shetty Alevuru and General Secretary Nazir Polya were among the attendees. The event was hosted at the Udupi Press Bhavan Committee with Convener Ajith Aradi extending the welcome and Co-convenor Ankit Shetty delivering the vote of thanks. Journalist Deepak Jain moderated the program.
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Putin meets Iran's FM Araghchi, says Russia ready to do its best to help bring peace to West Asia
Moscow (PTI): Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Monday met Russian President Vladimir Putin, who hailed the Iranian people for fighting bravely and heroically for their sovereignty and said Moscow is ready to do its best to help bring peace to West Asia as soon as possible.
Araghchi, who held talks with Omani and Pakistani leadership before arriving in Russia, met Putin in St. Petersburg and thanked him for supporting Iran, state-owned TASS news agency reported.
"Russia is ready to do everything in its power to ensure that peace in the Middle East is achieved as soon as possible," Putin said during his meeting with Araghchi, which was also attended by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Revealing that he received a message from Iranian Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei last week, Putin asked Araghchi to convey his "gratitude for this message and best wishes for his health and well-being."
He praised the Iranian people for fighting "bravely and heroically" for their sovereignty, Iran's state-run PRESS TV reported.
"We really hope that, based on the courage and desire for independence, the Iranian people, under the guidance of the new leader, will weather this difficult period of trials and peace will come,” Putin said.
He also stressed that Russia “intends to maintain” its strategic relations with Iran.
Araghchi said that the world witnessed Iran’s strength in countering the US during the recent war, and that the Islamic Republic is a "stable and powerful establishment."
"With their courage, the Iranian people succeeded in resisting the US aggression and will be able to endure it,” he said.
He said that it became clear that Iran has “great friends and allies” like Russia, and conveyed “warmest greetings” from Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian to the Russian leader.
Araghchi said relations between Moscow and Tehran represent a “strategic partnership at the highest level” and will continue to develop "regardless of circumstances."
"We are grateful to you for the solid and strong positions in support of the Islamic Republic of Iran," he said.
Foreign Minister Lavrov said that the talks between President Putin and the Iranian Foreign Minister were "useful and constructive."
Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov later said that Russia is "ready to provide any good offices, any mediation services that are acceptable to the parties."
"We will be ready to do everything so that ultimately peace ensues, guaranteed peace, and that there is no return to hostilities," Peskov was quoted as saying by TASS.
He was asked how Moscow can assist in future negotiations on the Iranian settlement.
Araghchi arrived in Russia after his whirlwind trip to Islamabad, which, according to him, was “very productive” and involved “good consultations" with Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, amid uncertainty over the second round of peace talks to resolve the war in West Asia.
"We held good consultations with our friends in Pakistan. The trip was successful. We assessed the outcome of our recent (meetings) and discussed in what direction and under what conditions talks can move on,” Araghchi said in a video posted on his Telegram channel upon his arrival in St Petersburg.
Referring to the second round of talks between the US and Iran to resolve the conflict in West Asia, Araghchi said: "Developments have taken place in the negotiations."
"Despite some progress in earlier rounds, the talks failed to reach their objectives due to the Americans' approach, the excessive demands they made, and the wrong approaches they adopted. Therefore, it was necessary to consult with our friends in Pakistan to review the latest situation,” Iran's official news agency IRNA quoted him as saying.
He said that the trip to Pakistan was a good opportunity to review developments related to the US-Israeli war against Iran, expressing confidence that “these consultations and coordination between the two countries will be highly significant.”
Araghchi arrived at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport early Monday, where he was welcomed by Russian officials and Iran’s ambassador to Russia, Kazem Jalali, the report said.
The first round of peace talks between Iran and the US, held on April 11 and 12, failed to bring the desired result for the parties to the conflict.
The Iranian minister arrived in Islamabad for the second time on Sunday after a short visit to Oman, where he held talks with Sultan Haitham bin Tariq al-Said on security in the Strait of Hormuz and diplomatic efforts to end the Iran-US conflict.
After Araghchi left Pakistan for Oman on Saturday, President Donald Trump announced that US negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would no longer be going to Islamabad for talks with Iran, contending that Washington held all the cards on the matter.
Trump on Sunday reiterated that the US and Iranian officials can talk by phone for a peace solution to the conflict.
On Tuesday, Trump extended the two-week ceasefire with Iran indefinitely to give Tehran more time to prepare a unified proposal to end the war, just hours before the truce was set to expire.
The war began when the US and Israel jointly attacked Iran on February 28, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several top commanders. The retaliation by the Islamic Republic extended the war to the entire Gulf region.
